Can 1 star AC be considered for energy simulation purpose if there are no AC’s installed in an apartment? Will this suffice the requirement of thermal comfort, (criterion 14, GRIHA Version 3) in residential building?

Query

A single residential building (G+3) has been registered for GRIHA certification. To meet the thermal comfort requirement, provision of ACs has been made in all bedrooms in a 3 BHK apartment. The ACs will not be installed by the developer. Multi-purpose room will be used as servant's room with a separate entry and bathroom. In this scenario, we will consider 1 star AC for energy simulation purpose. Will this suffice the requirement of thermal comfort, (criterion 14, GRIHA Version 3) in residential building?

Solution

No. Only energy simulation will not suffice the requirement of thermal comfort in residential buildings. A thermal comfort analysis must be carried out in a simulation tool for all AC & non-AC occupied spaces. In case of a 3BHK apartment, minimum assumption for simulation should be that at least 2 bedrooms and the main hall have at least one AC (BEE 1 Star rated).